According to the latest survey results, a large majority of Europeans (85%) think that EU Member States will have to work more closely together to tackle the crisis. The autumn 2012 Eurobarometer, the bi-annual opinion poll organised by the European Commission published today shows that,overall, 41% (+1 percentage point compared to the spring 2012 survey) of Europeans believe that the EU is heading in the right direction to emerge from the crisis and face new global challenges (See Annex).

Europeans continue to see the EU as the most effective actor – ahead of national governments – in tackling the effects of the economic crisis. The EU remains in first place (23%, +2) and is closely followed by the national governments (20%, -1). The G20 (14%, stable) comes third and is followed by the International Monetary Fund (15%, -2).

Unemployment (48%, +2), the economic situation in general (37%, +2), inflation (24%, stable) and government debt (17%, -2) are the four main concerns Europeans say they face at national level while, at personal level, inflation is clearly the leading issue (44%, -1). Europeans see the economic situation in general (53%, -1), unemployment (36%, +4) and the state of Member States' public finances (32%, -2) the main issues faced by the EU at this moment.

As in previous surveys, responses about the situation of national economies differ widely between Member States. While three quarters of people in Sweden and Germany say the economic situation is good, fewer than 10% share this view in ten Member States and fewer than 2% share this view in Spain and Greece.

Finally, Europeans continue to support the initiatives for growth, stability and jobs put forward in the Europe 2020 Strategy - the EU's economic growth strategy.

Background

The Autumn 2012 Standard Eurobarometer was conducted through face-to-face interviews between 3 and 18 November 2012. A total of 32,731 people were interviewed across the 27 EU Member States and in the candidate countries.

Further information

The First results report published today outlines Europeans’ perceptions of the current economic situation and preoccupations for the future as well as their opinions on the crisis and the Europe 2020 strategy.